mineral
Fulgurite
Lechatelierite (silica glass)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 5.5 to 6 on the Mohs scale, grayish-brown to black color, vitreous luster, amorphous crystal structure, brittle tenacity, and specific gravity of 2.2.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 5.5 to 6 on the Mohs scale, grayish-brown to black color, vitreous luster, amorphous crystal structure, brittle tenacity, and specific gravity of 2.2.
Formation & geological history
Formed when a lightning strike melts silica-rich sand or soil, typically occurring in desert or beach environments during intense thunderstorms.
Uses & applications
Prized by collectors, scientific researchers studying atmospheric discharges, and occasionally used in educational displays or unique jewelry.
Geological facts
Commonly known as fossilized lightning, fulgurites preserve hollow glass tubes where the lightning vaporized moisture and minerals in the surrounding soil.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its hollow, glassy interior and sand-cemented exterior crust; found globally in areas with frequent lightning and sandy terrain.
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